Onion cutter



April 22, 1930. F-ELARDQ 1,755,351

ONI ON CUTTER Filed April 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Ma /W5 ATTOR NEY April 22, 1930. A. FELARDO 1,755,351

ONION CUTTER Filed April 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 22, 1930 UNITED STATES ALFRED FELARDO, or? see-ea. Y.

ONION CI'ITTER- Application filed April 28,

This invention relates to a device for slicing, cutting or macerating onions, the object being to provide a guard against the efliuvium arising from cutting an onion and which act on the mucous membranes of the nose and the tear glands of the eyes to effect a copious discharge of tears. The operation of cutting an onion is very disagreeable as the vaporous effluvia rising during the cutting reaches the mucous membranes of the nose and the glands of the tear duct producing a discharge of tears, lasting a considerable time after the operation of cutting. My invention provides a tool for guarding against any unpleasant sensations during the cutting operation. The invention consists in providing an attachable guard, extending lengthwise of the cutting knife at both sides, which I have discovered effectively prevents any of the vapors, due to the cutting operation, meeting the eyes or nose of the operator. The device I apply preferably consists of a very light frame of sheet metal supporting a transparent medium of very thin material such as cellulose product, one type of which is accessible on the market known as cellophane. Other forms of similar product might be used, but the one I have named is an exceedingly thin, light and very transparent film and answers my purpose as a guard admirably.

The invention, therefore essentially consists in an attachable guard mounted above a cutting tool and extending along its blade, on both sides, to prevent the eflluvium rising in cutting-onions from reaching the eyes of an operator. It embodies more specific features, the novelty of which will be hereinafter described, and will be definitely indicated in the accompanying claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention; Figure 1 is an elevation of a tool in use embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the plane 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section on the plane H of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an elevation of a modified guard mount.

a guard on 1 29. Serial No; Water.

Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views of a modified form. V

. Referring; now in detail to the'drawings, 1 represents a cutting tool-as a-knife abovethe blade of which is detachably connected, a' thin transparent section 2-, which prevents thevapor-like eflluvium rising. from an onion reachingthe eyes of the operator. In Figure 1 of the drawings is represented at 3 an onion upon which the tool is indicated as beingoperated, as being mounted upon any support as 4 indicating a table, as represent-- ed in Figure 1-.-- The guard-2 ispreferably formed'pf avery' light frame, consisting of strips of thin sheet metal 5-5, one side which forms the support at the mounted end, being bent upon itself and bent at right angles at a central point as indicated at 5-5 in Figure 8 for attachment to a tubular fiat support 8, and provided with a bent lip 9, at the bottom edge to form one side of a holder for the knife blade, a similar bent lip 10 is formed in a tubular slide 11, adapted to slide up and down on the support 8, being readily adjustable by right angled lip 12, forming a finger piece for adjustment of the slide under the reaction of a coil spring 13. I The supporting frame for the guard is formed of bent strips 7-7, 7*, 7 folded to form a support for a transparent film 6, by which the slicing operation may be observed by the operator. The bent strips of the frame 77, 7", et cetera.

may be secured together by any suitable means. as by a punch marks at the corners. as indicated at 14. It will be apparent from this construction that when the guard is mounted, the cutting operation may be conducted so that the operator will be protected from the eiiluvium rising from the cutting operation. A modification in the form of the support is indicated in Figures 5, 6, 7, in which the spring is mounted over an eccentric post 13 on which a slide 14. having curled edges to embrace the post 13 and the guard support 8 in slidable relation. By shifting the folded strip 14:, operate against the tension of the spring 15, the cutting tool may be inserted between the bent strips 91 O. By this construction a cutting operation may be carried on while the operator can witness clearly,

Where the cutting edge of the knife is being applied.

Having thus described my invention What I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an onion cutter, an elongated guard extending laterally of a cutting tool above the blade thereof, and a slidable spring clamp securing the guard to the tool.

2. In an onion cutter, a bent sheet metal support adapted to be detachably secured to a handled cutting tool near the handle of the latter, and a transparent shield mounted on the support and overlying the blade of the cutting tool laterally and above its upper edge.

3. A knife attachment comprising a sheet metal strip folded and bent to form a support, a rectangular frame connected to said support, transparent means mounted in said frame and overlying the blade of the knife, 7

means engageable with the knife and carried by the support, a spring pressed clamp slidably mounted on the support, and means car ried by the clamp and cooperating With the first mentioned means for securing the attachment to the knife.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

ALFRED FELARDO. 

